[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 99 (Tuesday, July 25, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    PROVIDING GRANTS TO EXPAND INFRASTRUCTURE NECESSARY TO INCREASE 
                   AVAILABILITY OF ALTERNATIVE FUELS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. ROBIN HAYES

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 24, 2006

  Mr. HAYES. Madam Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H.R. 
5534, the E85 Kick-Start Bill. I am a proud co-sponsor of this bill and 
I applaud my good friend and colleague, Congressman Mike Rogers, for 
bringing this bill to the floor and helping the U.S. in the fight for 
energy independence.
  High energy prices are a significant threat to our long-term economic 
well-being and we need to aggressively pursue a goal of energy 
independence for our Nation. This independence can only be achieved 
through greater domestic production of energy conservation and the use 
of alternative energy sources. Unfortunately, there are no quick fixes 
to the energy crisis that is before our country. It will take years to 
build new refineries and mass transit systems. But right now, there are 
6 million vehicles on the road that can use E85, an alternative blend 
of fuel using 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. What we are 
missing is a distribution network to make this gasoline alternative 
feasible and this legislation seeks to double that network, which is 
critical to expanding the use of alternative fuels.
  Earlier in the year, I introduced the E85 Investment Act, which would 
increase the tax credit from 30 percent to 75 percent, up to $30,000, 
for E85 tanks and pumps.
  This legislation embraces the goal of increasing alternative fuel 
infrastructure. Specifically, this bill creates a federal ``Fuel 
Economy Fund'' by diverting the corporate average fuel efficiency 
(CAFE) penalties currently paid by automakers from the general treasury 
to the ``Fuel Economy Fund.'' The legislation also calls for up to a 
$30,000 grant to station owners who invest in alternative fuel pumps 
and fuel stations, including E85 infrastructure.
  I want to thank Mike Rogers for being a leader in this effort to help 
bring energy independence to our Nation. This legislation will help our 
Nation truly invest in alternative fuels and give consumers a choice 
when they go to the pump. I look forward to continuing to work with you 
to identify other ways we can help strengthen our Nation's economy.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the 
underlying bill.

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